BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of COVID-19 has significantly challenged the public health landscape in late 2019. After almost 3 years of the first ever SARS-CoV-2 case, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of this global health emergency in May 2023. Although, despite the subsequent drop of COVID-19 cases, the SARS-CoV-2 infection still exhibited multiple waves of infection, primarily attributed to the appearance of new variants. Five of these variants have been classified as Variants of Concern (VOC): Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and the most recent, Omicron. Therefore, the development of methods for the timely and accurate detection of viral variants remains fundamental, ensuring an ongoing and effective response to the disease. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the application of an in-house approach in genomic surveillance for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants using in silico designed primers.

METHODS

The primers used for the study were particularly designed based on conserved regions of certain genes in the virus, targeting distinct mutations found in known variants of SARS-CoV-2. Viral RNA extracts from nasopharyngeal samples (n=14) were subjected to quantitative and qualitative tests (Nanodrop and AGE). Selected samples were then analyzed by RT-PCR and amplicons were submitted for sequencing. Sequence alignment analysis was carried out to identify the prevailing COVID-19 variant present in the sample population.

RESULTS

The study findings demonstrated that the in-house method was able to successfully amplify conserved sequences (spike, envelope, membrane, ORF1ab) and enabled identification of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant among the samples. Majority of the samples were identified as Omicron variant. Three out of four designed primers effectively bound into the conserved sequence of target genes present in the sample, revealing the specific SARSCoV-2 variant. The detected mutations characterized for Omicron found in the identified lineages included K417N, S477N, and P681H which were also identified as mutations of interest. Furthermore, identification of the B.1.448 lineage which was not classified in any known variant also provided the potential of the developed in-house method in detecting unknown variants of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Among the five VOCs, Omicron is the most prevalent and dominant variant. The in-house direct PCR product sequencing surveillance (DPPSS) method provided an alternative platform for SAR-CoV-2 variant analysis which is accessible and affordable than the conventional diagnostic surveillance methods and the whole genome sequencing. Further evaluation and improvements on the oligonucleotide primers may offer significant contribution to the development of a specific and direct PCRbased detection of new emerging COVID-19 variants.

Sars-cov-2 ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Dna Primers ; Oligonucleotide Primers ; Computer Simulation ; Conserved Sequence ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Disease ; Emergencies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Genes ; Genome ; Global Health ; Health ; Identification (psychology) ; Infection ; Infections ; Membranes ; Methods ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotides ; Organizations ; Population ; Public Health ; Rna ; Rna, Viral ; Sars Virus ; Sequence Alignment ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; Syndrome ; Viruses ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES

Clinical pathways (CPs) ensure adherence to heart failure (HF) management guidelines. To optimize quality care in a low resource setting, an evidence-based care pathway for the management of acute HF was implemented at the emergency department (ED) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the designated national tertiary hospital and referral center. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of adults with acute HF admitted at the ED and evaluate the quality of care they received, measured using physician adherence to the hospital’s acute heart failure CP.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, descriptive cohort study. We reviewed the inpatient charts of all adult patients with acute HF admitted to the ED of the PGH and referred to the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine between December 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. Quality of care was assessed based on adherence to quality indicators adapted from routine and conditional order sets detailed in the pathway. Descriptive statistics was utilized to describe patient characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-six (236) patients were included, with a mean age of 51.8 years. Majority were male (53.4%); hypertension (61.4%) and ischemic heart disease (53.8%) were the most common comorbidities, and infection the most common precipitant of decompensation (60.6%). There were optimal adherence rates to routine orders, which included referrals to Internal Medicine and Cardiology, baseline vital signs monitoring, fluid intake and output monitoring, chest radiograph, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, arterial blood gas, urinalysis, and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide. Conditional orders, such as oxygen support, focused echocardiography, thyroid - stimulating hormone, and the use of vasopressors, diuretics, and venous thromboembolism prophylactic agents, were optimally performed when warranted. However, we noted suboptimal adherence to certain resource-intensive conditional orders, such as hourly monitoring of urine output (61.4%), hooking to cardiac monitor (53.8%), and performance of 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes (56.8%). Further, only 43.9% of patients were referred to the intensive care unit. Troponin I, calcium, magnesium, and albumin were ordered in excess.

CONCLUSION

Overall adherence rate of physicians to the hospital’s Acute Heart Failure Pathway was satisfactory. Work is needed to improve adherence to hourly urine output monitoring, consistent hooking to cardiac monitor, and timely performance of 12-lead ECG – an effort that begins with expanding in-hospital diagnostic equipment and human resource supply. We recommend continuous pathway implementation with periodic evaluation and stakeholder feedback to further improve quality of care.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Albumins ; Blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Cardiology ; Chart ; Charts ; Cohort Studies ; Critical Care ; Critical Pathways ; Diagnostic Equipment ; Disease ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Equipment And Supplies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Feedback ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Hormones ; Hospitals ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Indicators And Reagents ; Infection ; Infections ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Internal Medicine ; Lead ; Magnesium ; Male ; Medicine ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides ; Nitrogen ; Overall ; Oxygen ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Patients ; Peptides ; Philippines ; Physicians ; Potassium ; Prothrombin ; Prothrombin Time ; Quality Of Health Care ; Referral And Consultation ; Sodium ; Statistics ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax ; Thromboembolism ; Thromboplastin ; Thyroid Gland ; Time ; Troponin ; Troponin I ; Universities ; Urea ; Urinalysis ; Urine ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Vital Signs ; Work ; Workforce

OBJECTIVES

The increasing prevalence of Kawasaki disease in Southeast Asia (SEA) and its potential relation with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection resulted in heightened interest in KD in the region, thus, this paper aimed to determine the trend and the socioeconomic facilitators of scientific productivity of KD research within the region. Specifically, this article determined the number of publication and citations related to KD per country, institution, and journal. We also explored the networks of countries within the region to the rest of the world and the keywords mostly associated with KD research in the region. Lastly, correlation of these bibliometric indices with socioeconomic factors in the region was analyzed.

METHODS

A literature search of KD papers in SEA was performed using Scopus database. We obtained bibliographic data from the available literature and visualized network of existing collaborations and keywords using VOSviewer software.

RESULTS

A total of 196 papers were included in the study. Bibliometric analysis showed a rising trend in publication within the region, most of which were from institutions in Singapore and Thailand. The most common topics on KD studies included clinical features, complications, treatment, and comorbidities. 

Country characteristics such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, research and development (R&D) expenditure (% GDP), and number of physician and R&D researchers were positively correlated with bibliometric indices of KD research in SEA. Moreover, number of international linkages was significantly associated with KD research productivity in the region. 

CONCLUSION

In summary, we showed an increasing trend of KD research in SEA. Funding allocation and capacity building are necessary to strengthen research productivity within the region.

Asia ; Asia, Southeastern ; Bibliometrics ; Capacity Building ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Database ; Disease ; Efficiency ; Gross Domestic Product ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Infection ; Infections ; Literature ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Paper ; Physicians ; Prevalence ; Publications ; Research ; Research Personnel ; Rest ; Singapore ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Software ; Thailand ; Therapeutics

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of chronic invasive infection rhinosinusitis (CIFRS) complicated by orbital apex syndrome, highlighting the significant diagnostic challenges and delays encountered before establishing the diagnosis.

METHODS

This is a case report.

CASE PRESENTATION

This patient is a 65-year-old diabetic female, status post-kidney transplantation with immunosuppressant use presented with headache and sudden painless vision loss and extraocular limitation of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right-sided ill-defined nasopharyngeal mass, with nasopharyngeal carcinoma as the radiologic consideration. Biopsy revealed bacterial and fungal elements. During admission, antibiotics, antifungals, and tumor debulking was done but symptoms persisted. Histopathology showed reactive inflammatory tissue; hence, a short course of intravenous high-dose steroids was given. Overall health declined and patient eventually expired.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of maintaining high clinical suspicion for fungal infection despite non-specific radiologic findings in immunocompromised patients with vague, localized symptoms. Prompt recognition and tissue diagnosis are critical for early intervention.

Human ; Female ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Mycoses ; Fungal Infection ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance is resource-intensive, particularly in low-resource settings. This study evaluated whether selective surveillance of high-risk patients can accurately identify postoperative SSI compared with traditional surveillance of all surgical patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 587 patients who underwent selected general surgical procedures from January 2022 to June 2023 in a tertiary university hospital. Patients were classified as high-risk or low-risk for SSI using eight perioperative variables. Logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with SSI. The accuracy and agreement of selective surveillance versus traditional surveillance were assessed using sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and Cohen’s kappa. Results: The overall SSI rate was 12% (71/587). Independent predictors of SSI included resident service cases (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.37–4.83), ASA score 3–5 (OR 6.28, 95% CI 3.30–11.93), clean-contaminated to dirty wounds (OR 21.73, 95% CI 6.26–75.48), operative duration beyond the 75th percentile (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.24–4.38), and failure to maintain perioperative normothermia (OR 39.49, 95% CI 3.35–465.06). Selective surveillance demonstrated 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, with perfect agreement with traditional surveillance (Cohen’s kappa = 1.00). Conclusion Selective surveillance focused on high-risk patients demonstrated excellent agreement with traditional surveillance and may serve as a cost-effective alternative for SSI monitoring in resource-limited settings.
Surgical Wound Infection ; Cross Infection ;

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of human epidermal growth factor gel in the treatment of pin tract infections after surgery in patients with severe spinal deformity. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 26 patients with pin tract infections after skull-pelvic ring traction for severe spinal deformity admitted from February 2019 to May 2022. Among them, 11 were male and 15 were female;the age ranged from 18 to 31 years, with an average of (24.1±4.3) years;the Cobb angle ranged 80.3° to 120.7°, with an average of (88.6±10.2)°;there were 52 iliac traction pins, 104 pin tract openings, and 38 pin tract infections. According to the Checketts-Otterbum classification, there were 11 infections of gradeⅠ, 13 infections of gradeⅡ, 10 infections of grade Ⅲ, and 4 infections of grade Ⅳ. The patients were divided into the conventional dressing change group (13 cases) and the growth factor group (13 cases) by coin flipping. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by recording the visual analogue scale(VAS) score during dressing change, duration of dressing change, cost of dressing change, positive rate of bacterial culture, wound improvement rate, and wound improvement time. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in VAS or duration of dressing change between the two groups (P>0.05). The cost of dressing change was (800.0±59.5) yuan in the conventional dressing change group and (1 179.5±80.9) yuan in the growth factor group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of bacterial culture between the two groups (P>0.05). In the conventional dressing change group, within 20 pin tract infections, 2 infections achieved wound healing, 7 infections showed improvement, and 11 infections were ineffective;in the growth factor group, within 18 pin tract infections 5 infections achieved wound healing, 8 infections showed improvement, and 5 infections were ineffective, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The wound healing time was (22.8±4.9) days in the conventional dressing change group and (14.2±2.5) days in the growth factor group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). No complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION The application of human epidermal growth factor gel in the treatment of pin tract infections after skull-pelvic ring surgery in patients with severe spinal deformity is easy to operate, does not increase patient pain, and has significant efficacy. It shortens wound healing time, effectively promotes wound healing, and has good safety and high cost-effectiveness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Case-Control Studies ; Young Adult ; Epidermal Growth Factor/therapeutic use* ; Traction/adverse effects* ; Gels ; Bone Nails/adverse effects* ; Surgical Wound Infection/drug therapy*

PURPOSE: We carried out the study aiming to explore and analyze the risk factors, the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, and their antibiotic-resistance characteristics influencing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI), to provide valuable assistance for reducing the incidence of SSI after traumatic fracture surgery. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study enrolling 3978 participants from January 2015 to December 2019 receiving surgical treatment for traumatic fractures was conducted at Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University. Baseline data, demographic characteristics, lifestyles, variables related to surgical treatment, and pathogen culture were harvested and analyzed. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to reveal the independent risk factors of SSI. A bacterial distribution histogram and drug-sensitive heat map were drawn to describe the pathogenic characteristics. RESULTS: Included 3978 patients 138 of them developed SSI with an incidence rate of 3.47% postoperatively. By logistic regression analysis, we found that variables such as gender (males) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.012, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.235 - 3.278, p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.848, 95% CI: 3.513 - 9.736, p < 0.001), hypoproteinemia (OR = 3.400, 95% CI: 1.280 - 9.031, p = 0.014), underlying disease (OR = 5.398, 95% CI: 2.343 - 12.438, p < 0.001), hormonotherapy (OR = 11.718, 95% CI: 6.269 - 21.903, p < 0.001), open fracture (OR = 29.377, 95% CI: 9.944 - 86.784, p < 0.001), and intraoperative transfusion (OR = 2.664, 95% CI: 1.572 - 4.515, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for SSI, while, aged over 59 years (OR = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.059 - 0.296, p < 0.001), prophylactic antibiotics use (OR = 0.082, 95% CI: 0.042 - 0.164, p < 0.001) and vacuum sealing drainage use (OR = 0.036, 95% CI: 0.010 - 0.129, p < 0.001) were protective factors. Pathogens results showed that 301 strains of 38 species of bacteria were harvested, among which 178 (59.1%) strains were Gram-positive bacteria, and 123 (40.9%) strains were Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (108, 60.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (38, 30.9%) accounted for the largest proportion. The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to Vancomycin and Linezolid was almost 100%. The susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria to Imipenem, Amikacin, and Meropenem exceeded 73%. CONCLUSION Orthopedic surgeons need to develop appropriate surgical plans based on the risk factors and protective factors associated with postoperative SSI to reduce its occurrence. Meanwhile, it is recommended to strengthen blood glucose control in the early stage of admission and for surgeons to be cautious and scientific when choosing antibiotic therapy in clinical practice.
Humans ; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Aged ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Logistic Models ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Incidence ; Bacteria/drug effects*

PURPOSE: To screen laboratory markers with predictive value in early spinal surgical site infections (SSI) that are diagnosed within 30 days postoperatively. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical treatment for internal spinal fixation between March 2022 and March 2023 in our hospital were retrospectively studied. The inclusion criteria were aged >18 years, undergoing internal fixation surgery, complete medical records with >30 days of postoperative follow-up, diagnosis was made within 30 days postoperatively, and an informed consent form was obtained. The exclusion criteria were abnormal white blood cell count or neutrophil percentage in the preoperative blood routine and combined diseases that may affect the C-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin (PCT) values, including lower respiratory tract infection, renal insufficiency, and liver disease. We collected patients' personal information, surgical information, and blood laboratory data, including CRP, PCT, lymphocyte-neutrophil ratio, platelet-neutrophil ratio, and routine blood tests on preoperative and postoperative days 3, 5, and 7, from these patients. These data were statistically analyzed to determine which laboratory markers were statistically significant. The diagnostic value and optimal diagnostic threshold of these laboratory markers were further determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 8 patients were diagnosed with early SSI. A total of 4 laboratory markers were screened, namely, CRP on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≥64.1 mg/L, sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 76.5%, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.908), PCT on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≥0.2 ng/mL, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 94.1%, AUC of 0.967), lymphocyte count on postoperative day 5 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≤0.67 × 10⁹/L, sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 95.9%, AUC of 0.760), and lymphocyte count on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≤1.32 × 10⁹/L, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 55.1%, AUC of 0.721). CONCLUSION We concluded that CRP and PCT levels on postoperative day 7 and lymphocyte counts on postoperative days 5 and 7 are useful markers in screening for early spinal SSI.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Middle Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Surgical Wound Infection/blood* ; Procalcitonin/blood* ; Adult ; Aged ; Postoperative Period ; ROC Curve ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Spine/surgery*

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates independent risk factors for postoperative internal fixation device infection in patients with maxillofacial fractures and proposes an early warning model based on the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) algorithm. METHODS: A total of 1 104 patients who underwent surgical treatment for maxillofacial fractures at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2021 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of postoperative internal fixation device infection: the infection group (27 cases) and non-infection group (1 077 cases). Clinical data from both groups were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Univariate and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for postoperative internal fixation device infection in maxillofacial fractures. Subsequently, a Logistic regression model was established, and the dataset was improved based on the SMOTE algorithm to construct an early warning model with the improved dataset. The prediction performance of the models was compared and validated. RESULTS: Among the 1 104 patients who underwent surgical treatment for maxillofacial fractures, 27 cases of postoperative internal fixation device infections were identified, corresponding to an infection rate of 2.45% (27/1 104). Age, diabetes history, fracture severity, and oral hygiene status were all identified as risk factors for postoperative internal fixation device infections in maxillofacial fractures (all P<0.05). The prediction model based on the original data (P1). The prediction model based on the SMOTE algorithm (P2). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis shows that the area under curve (AUC) for the P2 model was 0.882, the P1 model was 0.861, indicating the superior predictive performance of the P2 model. The DeLong test results show that the difference in AUC between the two models was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Age, diabetes history, postoperative fracture severity, and oral hygiene status are all risk factors for infections associated with internal fixation devices after maxillofacial fracture surgery. The proposed early warning model demonstrated good predictive performance. Medical professionals can utilize this model to effectively intervene and anticipate infections related to internal fixation devices after maxillofacial fracture surgery.
Humans ; Algorithms ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Logistic Models ; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Internal Fixators/adverse effects* ; Maxillofacial Injuries/surgery* ; Adolescent

INTRODUCTION

Burn wound infection is a significant risk factor in the morbidity and mortality of burn wound patients. Previous studies in our institution showed bacterial colonization in burn patients seen beyond 24 hours post-injury. The microbiological profile of burn wounds seen within 24 hours, including the presence and risk factors for wound colonization, has not been determined in our Burn Center.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the presence and risk factors for burn wound colonization in burn patients seen less than 24 hours after injury and determine the microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in colonized burn wounds.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-nine burn patients who were seen at and admitted to the UP Philippine General Hospital ATR Burn Center within 24 hours of the burn injury from June 2021 until July 2023 were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected upon admission. A total of 635 swab samples were collected from 189 patients and were sent for identification of aerobic organisms by standard culture methods and antibiotic sensitivity tests using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Association of patient characteristics (area of injury, time received post-injury, previous hospital care, place of injury, percent burn injury, etiology, mode of transport, and type of dressing prior to admission) were determined using Chi square test of independence.

RESULTS

Out of 189 burn patients seen within 24 hours after injury included in the study, 58.73% (n = 111) of patients, and 49.29% (n = 313) of swabs showed bacterial colonization. Burn wound colonization was associated with area of injury/body region (χ2 5 = 16.29, p = .0061), time received post-injury (χ2 3 = 24.62, p < 0.0001, post hoc Fisher’s test for 6-12 hours vs. within the first 6 hours: p < 0.0001), place of burn injury (χ2 2 = 18.17, p = 0.0001, post hoc Fisher’s test work vs. home: p = 0.0006, work vs. outdoors: p = 0.0015), percent burn injury (χ2 4 = 21.40, p = 0.0003, post hoc Fisher’s test 25-49% vs. 0-9%: p = 0.004, 50-75% vs. 0-9%: p = 0.002), and etiology of burn injury (χ2 2 = 37.05, p < 0.0001, post hoc Fisher’s test scald vs. flame: p = 0.0012, electrical vs. flame: p < .0001). From 313 positive samples, 357 isolates were identified. Staphylococcus (58.8%) was the most common organism isolated. It was noted that out of the total isolates, 15 (4.2%) were identified to be methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) while 5 isolates (1.4%) were methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE). Streptococcus (10.4%) and Acinetobacter (6.2%) were the second and third most common organisms, respectively. Other groups identified were Aeromonas, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and diphtheroids. Frequency of bacterial isolates differed across body regions, time received post-injury, percent burn injury, and etiology of burn injury. Resistance to one antibiotic was observed in 36.84%, 6.25%, and 63.64% of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Acinetobacter isolates tested, respectively. Resistance to more than 1 antibiotic was observed in 48.68% of Staphylococcus isolates and 50.0% of Streptococcus isolates tested. Among the 51 S. aureus isolates, 29.1% were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

CONCLUSION

In burn patients seen within 24 hours after injury, about half of burn wounds and more than half of patients showed the presence of microbial growth. Potential risk factors for positive microbial growth in a burn wound during this timeframe were area of injury/ body region, place of injury, time received post-injury, percent TBSA burn, and etiology of burn injury. The most common isolate was Staphylococcus spp. More than half of Staphylococcus isolates showed antibiotic resistance, with a significant number showing multidrug resistance. More than a quarter of S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). These results suggest that bacterial isolates can colonize burn wounds even within 24 hours post-injury and may exhibit antibiotic resistance.

Human ; Burns ; Wounds And Injuries ; Wound Infection ; Methicillin ; Klebsiella ; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ; Drug Resistance, Multiple